Nafa-Khum Waterfall
Type: Waterfall
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Nafa-khum Waterfall (Bengali: নাফাখুম) is located in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban on the Sangu River. It is among the largest waterfalls in the country by volume of water falling. The wild hilly river Sangu suddenly falls down here about 25–30 feet.
The falls are located in a remote area three hours’ walking distance from Remakri, Thanchi Upazila, Bandarban District. Remakri is located three hours by boat on the Sangu River from Tindu, which is itself three hours by boat from Thanchi. Nafa-khum is not very popular as a tourist destination.
The word “Khum” in Marma language means “Waterfall”. A special type of flying fish, whose local name is nating, is found at the bottom in a small cave as they swim against the stream but cannot jump over the height of the fall.
How to go
Travel from Bandarban to Thanchi: After reaching Bandarban you have to go to Thanchiupazilla by bus from Bandarban. To reach Amaikum waterfall you have to make a trip from Bandarban to thanchi by “ChanderGari” (public jeep) or a private vehicle. The distance between Bandarban to Thanchi is about 79 km.
Way to go Amiakum: Route: Bandorban>thanchi>Bording para>Simplampi para >Thandiy para >Bollong Para > sat bahikum>Nakiongmuk>Amiakum waterfall
Travel from Thanchi to Remakri: You need to hire a Tour guide.You must enter your full name, address and contact number at the Army camp of Remakri, Bandarban before hiring a tour guide. There is a tour guide committee and that tour guide committee will select an experienced tour guide for you. This tour guide will stay for 2 days with you during the journey to reach the particular tour spot till you come back to Remakri. For the first day the tour guide will charge 600/= Taka (BDT) and for the second day onwards the tour guide will charge 500/= Taka (BDT) for each day (exclude his food and accommodation).
You need to hire a Boat for the adventurous journey of Thanchi to Remakri.
You have to hire an engine boat to reach Remakri from Thanchi, because there is no rowing or paddle boat there. Boat fare is around 4000-4500/Taka- for an up-down journey but the boatmen may ask for more. So you should bargain with them. Boat journey will take around 4(four) hours to travel from Thanchi to Remakri. This journey is very challenging and tough, especially if you are scared of water and high tide. Because in rainy season the tides of Sangu River are very heavy and it is extremely dangerous journey especially at the place of “BoroPathor”. In the area of BoroPathor there are big rocks scattered in the Sangu River and strong tides are there in the Sangu River as well. But the sceneries of both sides of Sangu River are spectacular.
You should take lunch at Remakri. There are some good restaurants in Remakri and lunch may cost around BDT 120 Taka per person.
How To Reach: Bandarban District
Dhaka and Bandarban are linked by road. There are direct bus services available from Dhaka to reach Bandarban.
Some of the bus services are listed below for your assistance:
1. S Alam services Ltd
Contact: 0341-62902
2. Shyamoli Paribahan
Contact: 0443-449934
3. Saudia Paribahan
Arambag, Contact: +88-02-7102465
Gabtoli, Contact: +88-02-8018445
There are no direct flight services available from Dhaka to Bandarban. However, you can travel to Chittagong by air and then take a bus or private car to reach Bandarban. Bangladesh Biman, United Airways, Regent Airways and Novo Air, all provide flight services to Chittagong.
Where to Stay
1. Hillside Resort
Address: Chimbuk road, Bandarban
Contact: 01730 045083, 02-988 6983
2. Hotel Greenhill
Address: Main Road, Bandarban-4600
Contact: +88 01856699910, +88 01856699911
3. Hotel Purabi
Address: V.I.P. Road, Bandarban Sadar, Bandarban
Contact: 01823-346383, 0361-62531
4. Hotel Paharika
Address: Main Road, Bandarban
Contact: 62155
5. (Resident)
Address: It is located in the South-West of Thanchi Bazar in Thanchi Sadar Upazila
Contact: 01819537753, 01818100435
6. Upazila Rest House
Owner/Manager: Mr. Kalhacing Marma, Chairman, Upazila Parisad
Address: Thanchi Bazar (close to the mosque), Thanchi Sadar Upazila
Eating Facilities
It should have to be noticed that there is no residential or non- resident hotel, motel or restaurants in Nafakhum and Remakri. So, you have to manage your own food, drinks and other stuffs from local tribal communities, you have to pay them for their services which is not much expensive at all.
Travel Tips
You may carry dry food, Mineral water, extra cloth, cap, sunglass, trekking shoe, rubber Sandal, torch light, Anti mosquito oil etc. Please do not take picture or snaps of any aborigine’s girl or boy without their prior consent and do not perform any task which may cause harm to the natural beauty of the tour and travel spots or the aborigines’ living.
On the way of Nafakhum, Remakri and Amiakhumk you can also visit some other places such as Cighongjiri at ThanchiSadar, Tindu Bazar, BoroPathor, Naikkiong Lake, Naikkiong waterfall.
